Steve Smith finally hit 10,000 Test runs. Averaging close to 56 with 34 centuries and 41 half-centuries, the leg-spinner turned modern Test legend has now become just the fourth Australian batter alongside the greats Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh to reach the mark, having fallen for 33 and 4 in two innings requiring a further 38 in Sydney to complete the milestone.
Waiting for Smith to make history was itchy, especially after so much bubbling even before the SCG Test. Out for 33 and 4 in two innings while needing 38 runs in not out was a shame on Smith, particularly when the acting captain didn’t help himself by scoring just one lousy run. By reaching this milestone on Day 1 of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka, Smith became the second-fastest batsman to achieve this landmark in the history of Test innings.
Elite Brian Lara made his way to glory as he reached the 10,000 Test runs milestone in just his 111th Test, while Smith joined Kumar Sangakkara at 115. He outpaced Ricky Ponting and Joe Root, each at 118, Rahul Dravid at 120, and Sachin Tendulkar at 122. He was fifth in terms of innings taken, getting across in 205 innings, beating Rahul Dravid by one innings.
| Innings | Player | Country | Year | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 195 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 2004 | England | Manchester |
| 195 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 2005 | Pakistan | Kolkata |
| 195 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 2012 | Australia | Melbourne |
| 196 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 2008 | West Indies | Antigua |
| 205 | Steve Smith | Australia | 2025 | Sri Lanka | Galle |
| 206 | Rahul Dravid | India | 2008 | South Africa | Chennai |
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Smith was next in to bat at number 4 after the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, who made 20 runs. Opening batsmen Usman Khawaja and Travis Head served up what Australia would wish for a good start, building a partnership of 92 runs.
Australia playing XI for 1st Test: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Josh Inglis, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy.
